High school sports bill isn’t dead, but may be a long shot

The national high school sports association is joining the opposition to a controversial overhaul of the rules governing high school sports.

National Federation of State High School Associations board is meeting in Indiana. In what executive director Bob Gardner says is a “very rare instance,” they approved a resolution opposing a bill moving through the Florida Legislature.

HB 1279 would make it easier for student athletes to remain eligible while transferring between schools and require a judge to rule on recruiting allegations before the Florida High School Athletic Association can deem a student ineligible.

The FHSAA has cried foul, arguing the bill would create “free agency” for high school athletes allow them to “shop” different athletic programs to increase their chances of competing for a scholarship, winning a championship or becoming a starter.

The bill would also the replace every member the FHSAA’s entire board, add new board members appointed by legislative leaders, cap the organization’s revenue and make its executive director an appointee of the state Education Commissioner.

“It’s just government interfering with a private enterpirse, and that’s wrong on a separate level,” Roger Dearing, the current FHSAA director, told reporters on a conference call today.

The bill is set for a vote on the House floor, where it has the backing of the leadership. House Speaker Will Weatherford said “It’s a good bill.” It’s sponsored by Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, who says the FHSAA needs new leadership and rakes in too much revenue from high school playoffs.

But what about the Senate? The bill appeared all but dead, as Education Committee Chairman John Legg declined to give it a hearing. It’s now scheduled for a one-hour meeting next week, but Legg has told the Tampa Bay Times that he has “extreme reservations” about the bill.

The Senate sponsor is Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who said the current anti-recruiting regime in high school sports is built on a “guilty until proven innocent mentality.” She also tangled with the FHSAA last year, over a separate bill overhaul of recruiting rules.

Bottom line: We’ll probably know early next week whether this legislation has a chance this year.